Bette and Tina decided to go for a short walk on the front sidewalk in front of the hotel to allow the girls to proceed to their room without seeing their parents’ emotional response.

Bette walked with her arm around Tina. Tina’s face was wet with tears as she could see that Bette had been barely holding it together. Once on the side of the building, Bette pulled Tina into a tight bear hug and sobbed. She continued for a several minutes.

Bette: I promised myself that I wouldn’t do this. I would hold it together for you and for Daniel. I’m sorry Tina.

Tina:  Oh honey, please don’t worry about it. We have done pretty damn good. I’m not doing as well as I thought I would either. So, let’s just let it go. I gotcha Sweetie. Just let it go and get it out. We’ll get through this. We love our Angie and she will always be our baby. She is doing exactly what she wants to do and she is exactly where she wants to be. And we are so fucking proud she is our child.

Bette: You’re not mad with me?

Tina: No… you are just being a mom. A mom delivering her child to her first days in college. How could I possibly be mad about that? I love you sweetheart.

Bette: Well, maybe I can get this all out tonight so that I won’t fall apart tomorrow. I do not want to embarrass Angie.

Tina: Yeah, and I’m going to need you to support me through tomorrow as well. We cannot cry in front of Angie. No matter what.

Bette:  Right. I will be right by your side Sweetheart. I won’t fail you; I promise. I love you so much Tina.

Tina:  Are you ready to go to the room and get a few hours of sleep?

Bette: I think so. Thank you, Tina for being here for me. I think I can do this now.

Tina:  Well, I’m going to need to lean on you tomorrow. I love you Bette Porter more than you will ever know. So, let’s go upstairs and get some sleep.

Bette:  I love you. I’m ready.

They proceeded to their room and went through their nightly routines. They then removed their robes and crawled into bed. They felt the comfort of the other clinging to their bodies. The feel of support and comfort soon gave way to sleep.